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| Year : 1992 | Volume
: 58
| Issue : 4 | Page : 262-263 |
Comparative histopathology of Pityriasis versicolor and Pityrosporum folliculitis
RR Mittal, D Prasad, Paramjit Singh
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Correspondence Address:
R R Mittal
Twenty five cases each of pityriasis versicolor (PV) and pityrosporum folliculitis (PF) were selected for this study. Histopathologically in PV, spores and hyphae in spaghetti and meatball appearance in stratum corneum, and perivascular mononuclear infiltrate were seen. In PF, spores were inside the dilated hair follicles filled with keratin, perifollicular and perivascular mononuclear infiltration were seen. Basket weave hyperkeratosis, edema and disruption of collagen were seen in 88% cases of PF and have not been reported earlier.
Keywords: Pityriasis versicolor, Pityrosporum folliculitis
How to cite this article:
Mittal R R, Prasad D, Singh P. Comparative histopathology of Pityriasis versicolor and Pityrosporum folliculitis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 1992;58:262-3 |
How to cite this URL:
Mittal R R, Prasad D, Singh P. Comparative histopathology of Pityriasis versicolor and Pityrosporum folliculitis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol [serial online] 1992 [cited 2013 May 18];58:262-3. Available from: http://www.ijdvl.com/text.asp?1992/58/4/262/3813 |
| Introduction | |  |
Recent investigations have established that pityrosporum orbiculare and pityrosporum ovale (PO) are the same pathogen. [1] PO represents normal skin flora. [2] Its mycelial forms are pathogenic and result in pityriasis versicolor. [3] PO hydrolyzes triglycerides into free fatty acids with resultant blockage of follicular ostium by scale and folliculitis. [4] Histopathologically both hyphae and spores are seen in stratum corneum associated with chronic inflammatory cells in dermis. [5] In PF, dilatation and plugging of infundibulum with keratin and presence of 2 - 4 tm spores inside them are seen. [5]
| Material and Methods | | |
Twenty five cases each of PV and PF were selected. Detailed clinical examination was done to rule out associated disorders. Skin scrapings in a drop of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) were examined in PV cases. Thin smears were prepared from material of follicular pustules and Gram's staining was done. Biopsy was taken from all cases. Hematoxylin-Eosin and Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stains were used.
| Results | | |
All 25 cases of PV revealed hyphae and spores in 10% KOH smears. All 25 cases of PF had Gram-positive spores and, in 3 cases few short hyphae were seen.
Four cases of PV (16%) and 22 (88%) cases of PF had spores and hyphae in spaghetti and meatball appearance in stratum corneum [Figure - 1] and 22 (88%) cases of PF had variable number of spores inside the dilated hair follicles [Figure - 2]. In addition 2 cases of PF had spores and few short hyphae in perifollicular stratum corneum. Eleven (44%)cases of PV and 7 (28%) cases of PF had mild to moderate perinuclear vacuolization of epidermal cells. All 50 cases had perivascular mononuclear infiltrate. All (100%) cases of PF and 4 (16%) cases of PV had perifollicular mononuclear infiltration. Oedema and disruption of collagen was seen in 13 (5 o) cases of PV and 22 (88%) cases of P
| Comments | | |
Salient histopathological feature of PV were presence of both spores a)d hyphae in stratum corneum in spaghetti and meatball appearance and perivascular mononuclear cases had, spores inside the dilated hair follicles' filled with keratin and perifollicular and perivascular mononuclear infiltrate\ Basket weave hyperkeratosis, oedema and disruption of collagen were seen in 88% of PF and have not been reported, earlier. Oedema and disruption of collagen\ in PF can be expected because of the deeper inflammation of hair follicles.
Occasionally PV and PF can occur' together and mixing of some features as. perifollicular infiltration in 4 cases of PV and presence of spores and few short hyphae in perifollicular stratum corneum were seen in 2 cases of PF. Same pathogen results in distinct clinical and histological picture in these 2 diseases
| References | | |
| 1. | Porro MN, Passai S, Caprile F, et al. Induction of hyphae in cultures of pityrosporum by cholesterol and chlesterol esters. J Invest Dermatol 1977 ; 69:531-4.  |
| 2. | Roberts SOB. Pityrosporum Orbiculare,: incidence and distribution on clinically normal skin. J Dermatol 1969;81:264-9. |
| 3. | Mc Ginley Kj, Lantis L R, Marples Rit Microbiology of tinea versicolor. Arch Dermatciil 1970;102:168-71. |
| 4. | Berrety P, Neumannon, Hansmann R, et al Folliculitis, verursacht lurch pityrosporum. Hautarzt 1980; 31 : 613-5. |
| 5. | Lever WF, Lever GS. Fungal diseases. in Histopathology of the Skin, 7th ed. Philadelphia JB Lippincott, 1990 ; 367. |
Figures
[Figure - 1], [Figure - 2]
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